getting noticed

I have been in Chicago now for over 3 months. Is that long? Is that short? Am I still a newbie to the scene? Not sure. What I do know is that I am establishing myself as a person in a sea of people intent on finding love, meaning and excitement in the methodical walk to work and selling of their wares or talent. So sure, life is fine: I'm enjoying my job, my new and old friends, my new home.  But I know the question on many of your minds:

Have you got any gigs yet? Has your love of the theater been acknowledged?  Well, no. I don't, and it hasn't (at least to my knowledge and according to my resume it hasn't).  So it leads me to something I've both struggled with and rested comfortably in: how to get discovered.

I recently came across an article written by Garcia and Braun on backstage.com (read it all here) and it stuck with me.  Specifically one part that beautifully sums up what I think all people should keep in mind regardless of career choice.  Now, keep in mind that most of the articles on backstage are geared toward young theater professionals that are trying to 'make it' (whatever that means) and all love to hear that their passion will not let them down-so it is very much 'if you work hard you'll succeed' which is sometimes hard to believe but we all love to hear it.

"Perhaps the easiest way to get discovered is to lose interest in discovery because you’re so profoundly in love with the art of acting, doing it for it’s own sake. When you lose yourself in it, focus on each glorious moment as opposed to the end game, and do the work of falling in love with acting, discovery comes."

So there it is.  A reason to work hard and expect nothing. How terribly dificil.

I continue to audition and I continue to try to enjoy my day job.  Because when you focus on each glorious moment as opposed to what may come to you further down the road, life is much easier to digest and glean nutrients from.